April 1, 2013

First One

Mark 16:9. Early on the first day of the week, after he arose, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons.

Matthew 28:9. But Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings!” They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him.

John 20:14. When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Three different witnesses tell things a little different. All of them report Mary Magdalene being tie first or with the first to see the resurrected Jesus. Mary Magdalene was healed of demon possession by Jesus and became a faithful follower of His. How loving of Jesus to give her, a woman and sinner who had been shunned by her community the joy of being the first to see Him. Once we come to Jesus we are totally loved and accepted by Him. Our question is how can we do less in loving and accepting those He brings around us? I see church members avoiding other members for various reasons. Jesus prayed we would all be one in Him and one in each other. The only way to do this is through acceptance and love, no matter how different we may be. We all have the most important thing in common: our love for Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit His prayer can become a reality. Let’s do our part.